The Bentley 3-Litre was the first Bentley made for public use. The original model was introduced at a motor show in 1919, and the production model was finalized in 1921 after production delays due to parts unavailability. The car was fitted with a four-cylinder 2,996 cc engine. It had four valves per cylinder and a single camshaft overhead. The 3-Litre was the original design based on W.O. Bentley’s vision of giving the average nonsporting car driver a good, fast car to drive. The model remained in production from 1921 to 1929 and won multiple races, such as the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. The car got a lot of praise and helped establish Bentley as a carmaker to follow and take note of. Initial manufacture of the 3 Litre was slow, but order books were soon filled with clients that ranged from royalty like the Dukes of Kent and York to wealthy industrialists.
The Bentley’s 3-litre monobloc engine had twin spark plugs and magnetos. It used aluminum and magnesium extensively, which was progressive for its time, especially for a car designed for regular driving. The engine had four valves per cylinder and a single camshaft overhead. The 3-liter engine produced substantial torque from low RPMs and was sturdy and efficient in giving high performance. As standard practice at the time, Bentley supplied the hardware, which included the engine, chassis, suspension, and drivetrain. This model was much larger than the 1300cc Bugattis that were racing winners of the time, but the larger and more powerful engine compensated for the extra bulk, and the 4000-pound car won the Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. Its weight and speed prompted the complement of “fastest lorry in the world” from Ettore Bugatti. The bodywork was left for the buyer to decide and order from coachbuilders. Customers sometimes opted for heavy, fully covered four-seater bodies, which made the car too heavy for the 3-litre engine. This ultimately led to the development of the 6 ½ Litre Bentley with six cylinders. The vehicle performed best as a two-seater open tourer, remaining at the top of its class for many years, beating rivals like Mercedes and Bugattis until it stopped in 1927.
The 3-litre was delivered as a raw chassis to the buyer’s selected coachbuilder. The carmaker itself referred many buyers to the neighboring Vanden Plas for bodies. Dealers could also order a short cost-saving run of similar bodies made to their designs. Most bodies were in the form of open-roof cars, which was the cheapest version. However, even tourers – what these cars were called – still had customized coachwork, and there was a lot of variation across vehicles.
The Bentley 3-Litre had a chassis made from rigid steel, which was designed with two lengthwise deep sections with four heavy cross-members angled to support the engine nose in the front and the gearbox and axle at the rear. Famous coachbuilders like Gurney Nutting or Vanden Plas built most body styles. The chassis was available in two lengths. The Short Chassis Standard had a 117.5-inch wheelbase, and the Long Chassis Standard had a 130.5-inch wheelbase. Around 1088 models were made between 1921 to 1929. For an example of what models come into the market for auctions or sale, visit here.
An ex-Royal Flying Corps engineer designed the 3.0 Litre or 2,996 cc four-cylinder engine, which was advanced for its time. The engine was one of the first mainstream car engines with four valves per cylinder, dry-sump lubrication, and an overhead camshaft. The four-valve engine design was based on improvements made to a 1914 Mercedes Daimler racing engine. A significant difference from this engine was the monobloc design made with cast iron and an aluminum camshaft, which helped make the engine more durable and improved performance. The monobloc design demanded labor-intensive and time-consuming casting but was typical for both Bentleys and Bugattis at the time. The 3-litre was the first to have two spark plugs for each cylinder, pent-roof combustion, and twin carburetors, and it was adjusted for low-end torque. The result of all this pioneering design gave the Bentley an untuned power output of about 70 hp, which let the car reach speeds of 80 mph, which was groundbreaking for the time.
Buying a 1923 Bentley 3-Litre right now will require somewhere in the range of $160,000, which is a reasonable price given its history and track record. However, you will need help to get hold of such a rare car. The most recent market price for a 1923 Bentley 3-Litre is estimated at around $132,000, making it a fascinating option for those looking to add a pioneering piece of automotive engineering to their collection. If you’re interested in a 1923 Bentley 3-Litre, we've got you covered here at Exotic Car Trader. Our platform has several Bentleys for sale, although few of them will compare to the history that a 1923 Bentley 3-Litre carries. If you are still looking for something that matches your taste, regularly check back as we update our Bentley listings frequently.
The 1923 Bentley 3-Litre is a pioneering example of car history that would appeal to any connoisseur of classic and vintage cars. It leaves a remarkable impression on anyone who encounters one in real life. Exotic Car Trader has an exclusive and safe platform for buying and selling cars, eliminating the disheartening experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. All cars listed on Exotic Car Trader go through a private seller verification process to ensure legitimacy for our buyers. A huge plus is that Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is transparent, and the fees and packages are clearly mentioned. This gives all our buyers a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our transactions team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today!
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